Nasal Mask Question

conimarie · Post by **conimarie** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 6:06 pm

Hi All,
I have been using CPAP for just about 1 month. I could not handle the face mask in the sleep study so I requested the nasal. Anyone else who uses this, does your nose hurt? My nasal passages have been feeling irritated in the last week. Does it just take some getting used to? They have added a humidifier last week. I am having problems still sleeping, waking up several times so they are going to give me a different machine. This one will adjust the pressure as needed, either up or down. Yeeks if my nose hurts now, will it be worse with a higher pressure? Any input is much appreciated.
Have a great weekend all.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 7:27 pm

My nose gets irritated too. I know there's something you can use for that but I'm not sure what it's called. I'm sure somebody else will know the name. My DME told me to use vaseline but I didn't want to get that all over the nasal mask.
I also hated the mask when I tried it during my sleep study. I think I was just very resistant to the whole idea of using a CPAP and it also made me feel a little claustrophobic. I've tried lots and lots of masks (face and nose) and have had the most success with the Activa mask. I had to fight the claustrophobic feeling for a couple nights and then I was ok. I like to sleep on my side and the Activa stays really well sealed even when I'm moving around. I'm still searching for the perfect nasal mask but I'll use the Activa until I find something better.

bpoe689 · Post by **bpoe689** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 7:53 pm

I also use the nasal mask and had a sore nose for a while but it (my nose) finally adjusted to the fit. Have been on cpap since March. I did not think I would ever adjust but now I can't seem to do without it. Strange as that may sound, the strangest thing of all is that I have always been a late-night person, now I am in bed by 12 midnight. I read a little while, then I'm in dreamland.

That is what I like the most, is being able to dream again. I had a really great dream about John Travolta You will get used to the pressure, mine is 15. Sometimes I have to ramp once or twice, but finally get relaxed. I just had surgery on abdomen, so I really had to ramp to adjust to the pain, but had to wear machine (doctor's orders) to help with the healing process.

Good luck, you will adjust, it just takes time - don't give up.

Becky

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 8:45 pm

Question: When you speak of your nose hurting, are you talking about the nares (outside around the nostrils) or the inside of the nose, where the air is being directed through? When the nares are irritated, most people on this site recommend the Ayr Gel or KY Jelly that you can get at CVS or many of the other drug stores. If you're nose is feeling sore on the insides, it could be dryness that a warm humidifier could help with. If you haven't been using a humidifier, most people find it more soothing than using cpap without one. You have to experiment with the number that you keep your humidifier on, though, because if you turn it up too high, you will get what they call rainout. That is when condensation builds up inside the tube and finds its way into your mask. The moisture has to be drained back into the container for the humidifier that holds the water. Some people find a way around rainout by either trying one of the insulated covers that are available for purchase for varying prices, usually about 17-$25, or they buy the heated hose, I think right now only being able to be purchased from Australia, and it runs about $79. That is supposed to be the best way to solve rainout.
I wasn't sure what part of the nose you were talking about, so I figured I'd cover both bases. If I've left something out, I'm sure one of the very experienced members on this site can fill in the gaps.
Hope this info helps.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 11:31 pm

This one will adjust the pressure as needed, either up or down. Yeeks if my nose hurts now, will it be worse with a higher pressure? appreciated.

Not to worry. It'll be the other way around: the straight pressure you've been titrated for is supposed to take care of worst case apneas, but is given to you for 100% of your sleep time. So, if you need that pressure for 15% of the time, you're spending 85% of your time fighting unnecessary pressure.

A self adjusting machine should start out lower, raise the pressure as necessary, and then let it down again. It makes life much easier for most of us.

If one self adjusting machine doesn't do the job, ask them to try another one. The logic behind the machines' reactions to events (algorithm) is different from one company to the other - some people do better on one kind of self adjusting machine, some on the other.

Come back and update us, ask what you want, somone will come up with an answer.

O.

gracie97 · Post by **gracie97** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 1:18 am

Anyone else who uses this, does your nose hurt? My nasal passages have been feeling irritated in the last week. Does it just take some getting used to?

What nasal interface are you using?

Some people say Neosporin works well to help heal their nares.

I'm also at about the one month mark, but have used nothing but the Breeze so far. Had painful nares problems for a while. For me, the irritation seems directly related to how much the nasal pillows move around during the night. The less it slides, the less irritated my nose becomes.

There's another school of thought that holds that eventually one's nares toughen up.

sir_cumference · Post by **sir_cumference** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 2:01 am

Dear conimarie

Firstly, the auto-adjusting machine will probably be easier on you than just CPAP and may well help you get on with your mask.

I see you're using the snapp mask. I haven't used it, but I have read a few posts by people who didn't like it one bit!

I have tried a variety of masks, and I too couldn't get on with the type that covers your nose, so I've tried 3 different nasal pillows, the mini-me (definitely no good), the swift and more recently the breeze. What I found was that the size of the nasal inserts can make a great difference to the level of comfort - for me the key is getting the smallest size you are comfortable with. For example, I am 6 ft, large man, and yet I happily use medium pillows and find that using large can cause me pain!!!

I would recommend you ask about changing your mask - to be honest, it may well be more important than the machine. And, I would say that one of the safest bets for a first time user is probably the swift. It is good on the back and ok on the sides and many users love it. It also come with small, medium and large pillows. If one size hurts, then change for another.

I think that if you can try other nasal masks, you will probably end up with a solution that works for you.

Lastly, yes I think at some stage we've all had some pain, but that should not be the norm - you should be able to sleep with a nasal mask without any pain at all - in fact, it should end up being so comfortable, that for large parts of the night you forget you have it at all.
sir_cumference

conimarie · Post by **conimarie** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:42 am

Hi Everyone
Thank you so much for all of your input. I really appreciate it. For Sleepless in LI, it's the inside of the nose that hurts. sir_cumference might be right with saying the size of the inserts can make a difference, maybe that is what could be the problem. With all of your input, I think I will look at some different masks. I am looking forward to finally saying I had a good nights sleep and I'm not tired!!!!!! (and some of those dreams bpoe689 is having...hehe)
Thanks again everyone and have a wonderful weekend....

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 7:55 am

Conimarie,
Ozij is on the money, as usual, when he speaks about the auto machine not forcing you to be enduring constant higher pressure than you need all night, which is probably why your nasal passages are hurting. The auto should help you with that.
Also, like sir cumference wrote, the mask can make a world of difference. He is right about the Swift. I just started using it two nights ago and haven't had a leaky night yet, and it is so much more comfortable on the nares for me than the Breeze was. Had blisters literally around the nares from trying to get used to the Breeze. The Swift? Two nights in a row with a tiny bit of Ayr gel and don't even feel it. It's wonderful. I'm now on the Remstar Auto with the CFlex and the Swift and have literally slept through both of the two nights so far. Haven't done that in...well, can't even remember. I know it's happened maybe one time since I've been on therapy for about two months.
Once you find the right combo of machine and mask, bedtime is no longer a depressing and scary time and the mornings are, once again, wonderful. I wish that for you. Please keep us posted on how you're doing.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:43 am

Lori,
I'm a she!
O.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:50 am

Ozij,
LOL - I'm sorry . You know, unless it's a Mary, John or Mike (American names), I'm not good at knowing sometimes. I meant no disrespect, I assure you. So let me just say, "Hey, sister!!!" LOL. Still doesn't take away the fact that you always hit the nail on the head with your comments and are one of the most helpful people on this site. I will be more careful when I refer to you from now on in the future. My bad...

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:34 am

Well, "ozij" isn't even a name - I wouldn't expect you, or anyone to tell from it. Its a combination of my initials and where I live... and since my initials mean "courage" and I needed that badly when I started, I figured that was a good combination.
O.

Kermit · Post by **Kermit** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:50 am

Regarding Ayre gel, my tube will never be used up after switching to the Swift. I had to use Aye with the Breeze, Adams and Nasal Aire but never with the Swift as it seems so gentle using that large pillow on my medium size nose. Large enables the pillow to rest on outside a lot more and not insert themselves as much as medium.

I agree with using an autopap to avoid running at full pressure all night, that's a big help. I have a 420e but finally came to the conclusion that I need full pressure all night, go figure. It is now an expensive single pressure cpap. For most people, an auto is a godsend.

Be patient, experiement and keep notes on what you try, what works, doesn't work and the conditions around it. Took me several years and it has been worthwhile as I fell better, work better and have more energy now than twenty years ago, and still improving.

Kermit

conimarie · Post by **conimarie** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:59 am

Hi,
I like the look of the Swift, it does look very comfortable. I will have to ask them when they call to change the machine if they have this available for me to try.
Once again, thanks for all of your input, it is greatly appreciated
Have a great day all.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): swift

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 6:51 am

Conimarie,

Let us know what you end up doing. And if you get the Swift, would love to hear your opinion after you've used it. Good luck!!!

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